Asus M2N-SLI mb BIOS problem
 

Hi,
I just bought a computer from Cool Tech PC, Inc in Vancouver, WA (endpcnoise.com). I ordered it without Windows installed since I plan to run Ubuntu on it. They did a 48 hour burn-in with Windows and then wiped the disk and declared the computer ready. When, when I try to run Ubuntu live/install 6.06.1 LTS the first error message I get is

"Detect drives done: not any drive found".

Then the "Start or Install Ubuntu" screen comes up and when I click this I get the following BIOS error message:

MP-BIOS bug: 8254 timer not connected to IO_APIC
Kernal Panic - not syncing: IO-APIC + timer doesn't work!
Boot with apic=debug and send a report. Then try booting with the "noapic" option.

I was able to format the drive using a GParted Live CD so it found the HD OK and the problem appears to be strictly in the bios setup for the motherboard. Here is a summary of the system - motherboard et al:


Asus M2N-SLI Deluxe Motherboard
AMD Athlon 64 AM2 X2 Dual Core 3800 CPU
2GB ( two 1GB ) PC-5300 Kingston memory
56K V.92 PCI Hardware modem
Microsoft BLACK Keyboard/Mouse Combo
Samsung Quiet 160GB SATA2 HDD HD160JJ
No Operating System
Nexus 500W NX5000 Power Supply
MSI NX6200TC 256MB PCIE (Fanless)
Antec P180 BLACK Case
Plextor (Beige or Black) PX-760A DVDRW
Zalman CNPS9500AM2 CPU Cooler

Anyone have any experience with this motherboard?
Any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated.

Jack Hoke

Might not be much help, but since your other thread went 4 years without any replies, I thought I'd try.

It looks as if Ubuntu does not have support for your SATA controller, since it doesn't see your drive.

Second, your interrupt error looks like one that has since been patched for nForce 2 chipsets. I have successfully built one comp with a Asus M2V (VIA chipset) and another with a Asus M2N (Nvidia chipset - no SLI) in the past couple of weeks with no such error.

Did you check the Asus website? There might be a BIOS update available, if this is indeed a buggy BIOS.

What kernel version was Ubuntu using? GParted Live CD?

I'd suggest giving Slackware 11.0 a try.

Also, some Google <Linux> searching would serve you well...

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...d.php?t=457365
post #10

I returned the computer to the shop. They install using the non-graphics iso instead of the Live cd I was using. They said the Live cd doesn't support the 'noapic' option which accounts for the 'Could not find kernal image: noapic' message I was getting. Looks like I've bought a system that's going to be a big pain until Asus/Ubuntu solves this problem. I guess it's being worked but probably won't be fixed in Edgy.

I've been running Ubuntu on my 5 year-old Duron 900mh system since Hoary without any problems. Same for several other distros. Guess I've been leading a sheltered life. Welcome to life in the fast lane! <g>

Thanks for the input! Much appreciated

Jack Hoke